David Lemieux vs Purnell Gates Final Presser Review

by Richard Cloutier

Groupe Yvon Michel summoned the media to formally discuss this Friday's card at the Bell Centre.

"I had a great preparation in my training camp in Miami, said the WBC International champion David Lemieux, when he spoke the final press conference that was held at Club MAA. " I had a really good preparation with Jean Pascal and Odlanier Solis. The training was exceptional. It'sa lot of pressure, but for me, a lot of motivation at the same time."

Remember that Jean Pascal is in preparation for his championship bout against Bernard Hopkins. As for Solis, the Cuban heavyweight is preparing to face Ray Austin on Dec. 17 in Miami in a final eliminator for the WBC world title. As for David Lemieux (24-0), who spent two weeks in Miami, he will see action in the co-feature on December 3rd card, facing American boxer Purnell "Knock You Out" Gates (18-1).

"The establishment of the series was to help the development of David in his journey towards a world title. Unfortunately, it has accelerated a little, for his part," said Russ Amber, the coach of David Lemieux.

Amber spoke about the nature of the training camps and the importance of the next fight of his protege.

"The WBC ordered an eliminator David for early next year and it has changed our planning a bit. Yvon, and I, it were selective about the choice of opponent for David. We wanted someone who we were able to integrate well into his development, without putting too much pressure on him, so he could properly prepare for the eliminator next year. And it is very important to not look too far ahead because there are many boxers who made this mistake. We chose an opponent who comes to fight. According to information we have on him, he has nothing to lose and fights in that fashion. He is someone who will not be there to fall down. He will go out and David has been warned. When someone has a nickname like "Knock You Out", I think it's someone who comes to fight."

For his part, Yvon Michel spoke at length about the challenges awaiting David Lemieux. Not only on December 3, but throughout 2011. A pivotal year ahead for the young man of 21, and already considered the third contender in both the WBA and WBC rankings.

"This is a milestone in the career of David Lemieux. This fight is the latest in the type of career that David has had so far. We know David Lemieux will soon address the international scene. An eliminator against Marco Antonio Rubio is already planned. It's very exciting because the U.S. networks, they want to talk and discuss the future of David Lemieux. So after this fight, David is going to invade the American market. It will be the beginning of a path towards a new horizon for him, and all of that is going to lead to a world championship."

Regarding the quality of Lemieux's opponent, Yvon Michel was very clear in his remarks.

"When we say that this is the end of an era, it does not mean that [this fight] is not important or dangerous. Remember Jean Pascal. When he, too, a the late stage of his career, he did against Brian Norman and Omar Pittman, who were not of a high caliber. But remember the problems he had. Friday, David will fight against Purnell Gates, a boxer who has 18 wins, 1 loss and more importantly, has nothing to lose. So David, who has all the pressure on his shoulders and has a lot to lose."

Yvon Michel has also confirmed to BoxingScene.com/Netboxe.com that David Lemieux will not be present in the ring at the third installment in the series "Fast and Furious," scheduled for February 11.

"In our planning, we do not see David returning for the gala in February. We will know by then what happens with Rubio, because at worst it will be January 7 that we will have the purse bid. So based on that, for the last event of "Fast and Furious" on April 8, will be the biggest fight of David's career. It is also a form of thanks to those who bought season tickets for the series because we will not increase the prices. The configuration will probably change a little, but we will not move the ring. It will just goes up a little in the stands so we can let more people sit down, because I know that a lot of people will want to attend such a fight."

Note that more than 2,000 tickets have now been sold for the gala on December 3.